By
the time one arrives in Manaus,
the capital of Amazônia
state, most travelers have already
spent a lot of time traveling.
Currently,
there are only 10 direct flights per week between Miami to
Manaus: 1 by Varig , 7 by TAM and 2 by Lloyd Aereo Boliviano.
Since
it is often less expensive, most travelers come to the
Amazon
via São Paulo, with awkward connections involved.
This is the equivalent of connecting in Denver on a
flight between
New York and Chicago.
Paramount
to making the most out of your Amazon adventure: Do not stick
to the city of Manaus.
Manaus
was built up as an industrial settlement by the former military
regime, which had also planned to develop the state further,
and which was also partially responsible for the Amazon's
deforestation. Now with a democratic government installed
in Brasilia, the situation has changed: the state no longer
grants tax subsidies for deforestation nor for other industries
in Manaus. Manaus still has about 2 million inhabitants, but
it's glory days of rich subsidies are over.
The
hotel Tropical at the River beach is the only 4 star hotel
to speak of. The Holiday Inn Taj Mahal near the opera is more
noble by name than in appearance, and the Novotel is in the
industrial park.
Many
Jungle lodges are just on the outskirts of Manaus, and can
be reached by taxi or even public transportation. In order
to get the real feeling of the jungle, you need to take a
boat for at least 2 hours and stay where civilization can
not reach you by car.
Many
tour operators also offer customized chartered trips
throuth the Amazon Rainforest for as
many days as you wish on small river boats. These smaller
boats are better then the big ones, which can not get
close
to the shore. If you do want to experience those bigger
boats on a journey with the locals, take one upstream.
For two reasons: To
go upstream, barges travel closer to the shore, and the river
narrows upriver from Manaus.
Escorted
Tours including Manaus/Amazon Rainforest:
